What, Exactly, is the Canine Influenza Virus?

H3N8, get to know it. A friend recently forwarded me an email from a local email hospital about Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), which said that the disease is especially prevalent in the New York City Area. (So far, it has been detected in 30 states.) Clinical signs are similar to those of kennel cough (Bordatella), and they include cough, ocular/nasal discharge, fever, decreased appetite and lethargy.

Image via waycooldogs.com

Oftentimes, CIV is no big deal—much like kennel cough—but sometimes it can progress, and in these cases dogs will exhibit symptoms such as a high fever, spontaneous bleeding, bacterial pneumonia, shock and death. Transmission occurs through contact with an infected dog and its secretions. (Yeah, gross word.)

Since this is a "newly emerging disease," it's important to keep an eye on your pet for symptoms. A CIV vaccine was developed this year, so maybe ask your vet about it if your dog tends to frequent areas like dog parks or kennels. Bear in mind, the vaccine requires a booster 2-4 weeks after the first dose is given.

Wait for it...He Says "I Love You"

I don't know if you guys ever go to the Funny or Die website, but they posted this video to Twitter today, and it's worth the 48 seconds.

Huskey says I Love You - watch more funny videos

How to Save Money on Pet Care

Last week, CNN picked up a RealSimple.com article on how to save cash while still taking good care of your pet. The story suggests things like skipping the groomer and giving your dog an at-home bath; buying pet food in bulk; and reducing checkup costs by taking your dog to a veterinary college.

To be honest, I wasn't totally sold on every single suggestion, but some were definitely helpful. To read the story, click here.

Pet Rescue Masks

You may have already heard of her by now, but an 11-year-old Virginia girl named Monica Plumb has made it her mission to raise money to buy pet rescue mask kits for every fire station. According to her site, http://www.petmask.com/index.html, Monica came up with the idea when she saw a news story where a pet mask was used to save a family's pet after a fire. Amazing, right? She was even named the ASPCA's 2009 Kid of the Year.

Says Monica: "Each pet oxygen mask kit costs $55 and includes three sizes: small, medium and large. One set can help revive dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, even birds. We are also purchasing padded emergency equipment cases for $15 to store the masks if the department does not already have something to store them in. That makes a complete kit $70 plus shipping, which I also pay for. There is no expense whatsoever to the department receiving the mask kits."

To donate to the cause, click here. 

Call for Halloween Photos!

What did your dog dress up as for Halloween? (Or, more like, what humiliating outfit did you dress him in?) Riley, as you can see, went as a bat. Sadly, the Pepto-pink hippopotamus getup didn't come in her size.

Please send your dog-in-costume photos from over the weekend for us to post! Just send an email and description to redrileyblog@gmail.com.